After a summer of uncertainty, Russell Westbrook has assembled an NBA team for the 2024-25 season.
Russell Westbrook left the Denver Nuggets this summer to pursue new opportunities in the league, but it looked like a huge mistake as the season approached.
Reports suggested that Westbrook might sign with China due to lack of interest from the NBA, but he ended up signing a one-year contract with the Sacramento Kings.
Westbrook is one of the most popular guys in the NBA, but he’s a difficult teammate on the court. His heliocentric style means he needs to have the ball in his hands to be at his best, and his relentless energy can lead to rash decisions in the end.
But rookie guard Neek Clifford explained how signing Westbrook has already changed the energy in Sacramento.
Clifford was selected 24th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-6 guard will share the backcourt with Westbrook throughout next season.
He said he’s already seen a change in the energy in Sacramento after the Kings signed Westbrook. Westbrook has been one of his favorite players since he was a kid.
He said, “It’s been great. Russ has already changed the energy a little bit. He just came into the film room today and there was energy there, good vibes. You’ll see in the shootaround that he brings the level of energy that we need as a team moving forward.”
“I’m so excited to have a player like that. He’s been one of my favorite players since I was a kid. I got his UCLA jersey. It’s very special to have him on the team.”
Westbrook was a key piece for the Nuggets last season, helping Denver defeat the Los Angeles Clippers with a spirited performance in the first round of the playoffs.
The Kings have no realistic hope of competing in the competitive Western Conference. But the influence Westbrook has in instilling the right mentality and work ethic in players like Clifford will be valuable for the team moving forward.
Clifford isn’t the only Westbrook fan in Sacramento. His head coach, Doug Christie, also admitted that he is a longtime fan of the 2017 NBA MVP.
Christie, who is in his first full year as an NBA head coach, explained what Westbrook brings to the team.
He said, “I’ve been a Russell Westbrook fan for a long time. When I was on the radio, I used to get hits because people would call me up and say whatever. I was like, ‘You guys don’t understand basketball.’
“So I think his numbers and what he’s done in this league speak for themselves. He’s a Hall of Famer. One of the biggest things when I look at him is the intensity of his play and the effort he brings to the game. I really appreciate that.”
Westbrook is clearly at a point where he’s loved and respected. His words carry weight in the locker room, so his leadership role within the team as an on-court coach could be invaluable.